Choosing the Right Polymer Processing Method

China Manufacturing Decoded

In episode 293 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Sofeast’s Head of New Product Development, Paul Adams, for the final part of their trilogy on polymers.

When people think of plastics, they usually picture injection molding. But it’s far from the only available process. We'll break down the major polymer processing methods, including injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, thermoforming, rotational moulding, and additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing).

They explain:

• Why your product’s geometry may rule out certain methods

• The strengths and weaknesses of each process

• Typical products made using each technique

• How process choice impacts cost, speed, surface finish, and performance

This conversation will help you match the right process to your product and avoid costly mistakes.

Episode Sections:

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 01:05 – Why process choice matters: geometry, cost, and performance
• 04:55 – Injection molding: strengths, limitations, and common products
• 10:29 – Extrusion: pipes, profiles, and aligned mechanical properties
• 14:23 – Blow molding: bottles, containers, and even stadium seats
• 21:23 – Thermoforming: clamshell packaging, tubs, and larger liners
• 26:24 – Rotational molding: playground equipment, cones, and kayaks
• 30:34 – Additive manufacturing (3D printing): filaments and prototypes
• 34:52 – Wrapping up: how to decide and next steps with your manufacturer

Need help choosing the right polymer for your product? Contact us for a conversation.

Related content...

• Plastic Injection Molding Questions: 17 FAQs Businesses Need Answers To
• This is the third podcast in a trilogy. Listen to the other two here: When To Sign Off On Injection Mold Tooling? Inside the Journey from DFM to T0→T2 and Plastic Playbook: Choosing The Right Polymer

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